Hull construction



M r 1946- K. F. J. KIRSTEN 3 HULL CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25 1942 Patented Mar. 12, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to the construction of marine vessels, and especially to wooden hull vessels, and its object is to simplify the structural nature of the hull in a manner permitting the same to be more expeditiously built than heretofore while at the same time advancing the seaworthiness as compared with prior ships hulls utilizing wood as the structural agent.

The invention essentially consists in constructing a laminated type of hull, and in the novel manner in which the laminations are engineered into an integral body capable of most effectively withstanding the wind and weather stresses to which a marine vessel is subjected. The invention further consists in the advanced method of working planking into a laminated type of hull structure using external molding jigs as forming guides.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is vertical sectional View taken transversely through the hull of a marine vessel shown in the course of construction and embodying the present invention, only portions of the hull being shown with the characterizin laminations thereof in order to simplify the illustration.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section taken to an enlarged scale on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section to a scale enlarged from that of Fig. 2 to detail the preferred deck construction.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse verticalsection to a still further enlarged scale to illustrate the manner in which successively laid planks are nailed in position as the laminatedhull is being constructed; and

Fig. 5 is a similar section spaced longitudinally from the section line of Fig. 4 and detailing the construction of a bulkhead with a dotted-line indication of nails employed to toe the same to the exterior wall of the hull.

In said drawingwherein I have represented only so much of a'marine vessel and a yard ways for the construction thereof as is necessary to understand the invention-the hull proper is descoated with marine glue and is nailed down in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4, which is to say with the nails ll staggered and of a length to pass through two and penetrate a third plank.

I dispense with the usual ships frame-work as a forming skeleton in carrying the invention into elfect, and shape the hull to the desired contour through the instrumentality of drawing the outer edges of the planks, preliminary to the nailing thereof, against exterior templates. Hereinafter termed jigs, these templates are spaced to lie at relatively close intervals throughout the length of the hull and are employed in pairs with one jig lying upon one side of the hull and its complementing like jig disposed oppositely thereto, each said jig desirably comprising a T-iron molding plate l2 finding a footing upon a channel-iron bed l3 and given rigidity by a back-brace I4 and struts I 5. Paired jigs are coupled during hull construction by fish-plates or the like I6. Any quick-acting clamp, hydraulic for example, may be used in drawing the planks to shape preliminary to nailing the same to the underlying planking, one jaw of the clamp being applied to engage the outer face of the T-iron and the other jaw working against the inner edge of the plank.

From the foregoing it is believed readily apparent that the construction of the hull proper would require comparatively little time. Fitting is confined principally to the relatively simple operation of shaping the terminal planks at the front and rear of each successive lamina to the stem and stem post of the vessel, and insofar as adapting the rising lamina to the curvatures of the hull is concerned, the planks may be readily planed to a wedge shape, sectionally considered, where the same are being applied upon a belly curve having a relatively sharp definition. The applied coatings of glue would of course accomplish a filler function dispensing with the need for planing where the successively laid planks are ignated generally by the numeral 6, the keel by s being built up along the line of moderate curves.

Considering now the interior construction of the hull defining compartments constituting the usual cargo holds, engine room, fuel chambers and the like, it will be seen that the bulkheads which lie at spaced intervals longitudinally of the hull are similarly built up as a laminated wall in a manner like or similar to that of the hull proper, namely by nailing successively laid planks 8' one upon another with intervening glue coatings, the end planks of each layer being toed by nails I! to the hull planks 6. I have also indicated the various deckings as being of laminated construction composed of planks 9' laid on end upon horizontal beams 18 having their ends notched into the hull 6. Vertical posts 20 are or may be employed amidships for cargo vessels of wide beam.

It is here pointed out, while having indicated the hull proper as being carried upwardly to include the bulwarks 2|, that the sheer strakes of the hull or that part of the planking 6' which would correspond thereto might advantageously be caused to curve inwardly and merge through a shoulder bendwith the planking 9' of the upper deck.

The manner in which the described hull construction lends itself to rapid mass production of wooden-hulled vessels is thought to be clear. Jihe need for skilled labor is largely eliminated in that little shaping of the employing planking is required, and the molding jigs-secured in proper positions upon the ways-perforce assure accuracy in the hull contour. These said jigs are readily backed from each side of the hull upon completion of each hull' operation, and following the launching'are again returned to functional positions abutting theopposite sides of a newly laid keel topermit immediate initiation of another hull operation. Preliminary estimations give indication that a ten-ways yard could move one hull during each 24-hour period.

.It will be understood that my illustration and description are in no sensetob e construed as limiting the scope of the invention to a particular mode or form of application, the intention being simply to exemplify the invention in such a' manner as will permit the same to be readily grasped by those versed in the art.

lWhatI claimisi 1. "The new method of planking a wooden hulled ship, using pre-forined exterior molding jigs, consisting in laying the-planking incourses one upon another with their facing sides in abutting relationand performing the steps, as the courses ai'esuccessiv'elylaid, of clamping the same rine glue, drawing the outer edges of the planks against the jigs, and nailing to the underlying planking.

3. The newmethod of planking a wooden hulled I .ship, using pre-formed exterior molding jigs,

consisting in laying the planking in courses one upon another and as each said course is laid clamping the same against the jigs, nailing the clamped planks to the underlying planking, and removing the clamps.

4. The new method of planking a wooden hulled h n'usin D er e ex e rmolding s. co sisting in laying-the planking in courses one upon another and as each said course is laid bringing the planks firmly against the inner faces of the jigs and nailing to the course of planking therebelow.

The ew mGthQd Of p nk n a wooden hulled ship, using pre-formed exterior molding jigs, consisting in layingthe planking in courses one upon another and as each said course is 'laidbringing the planks firmly against the innerfaces'of the jigs and aiiixing to the course, of planking therebelow.

6. The new method of plankin a Wooden hulled ship, using pre-formed exterior molding jigs, consisting in laying the planking in courses one upon another and as each said course is laid bringing the Planks y a ai t t inneri faces of-the jigs and setting the, planks in their 1 jig-shaped contour.

KURT F. J. KIRSTEN. 

